Shows
Multicultural Family HubAndre's n'between Journey: The South, Safety, Colonialism, and Complexity Ep. 30This week is a real treat. You get to hear the back story of one you know and love, Andre! This week Andre shares his journey being a third-generation multicultural individual navigating life in the American South with deep Caribbean and East Indian roots. And ya'll, it is SO POWERFUL. Andre shares his family's powerful lineage, including his grandmother's Maroon heritage in Jamaica, a story of strength, rebellion, and survival, and reflects on how colonialism, colorism, and migration shaped his family's story across generations. Through candid storytelling, Andre opens up about what it felt like t...
2025-11-1359 minMulticultural Family HubYou Get to Be Rainbow: What it Means to be an n'betweener with Nora Alwah Ep. 29What does it mean to live between cultures, languages, and identities, and still feel whole? In this incredible conversation with Nora Alwah we explore the beauty and complexity of being an n'betweener: someone who moves through the world carrying many identities that don't fit neatly into one box. Not only is Nora a licensed professional counselor (LPC) and somatic psychotherapist, but a TEDx Speaker and powerful storyteller. She shares powerful stories of navigating belonging; from always needing to prove that she "belonged" with her Danish mother, to finding belonging in the streets of Brooklyn. Together, w...
2025-10-2358 minMulticultural Family HubThis Shouldn't Be Happening?! How to Make Fall Colds Feel Better Ep. 28Our 8-year old can go through an entire box of tissues in a few hours. How do we know? We're in cold season. We've been hearing from so many parents how challenging this time period is. We're feeling the weight of sniffles, missed plans, and long nights Surprisingly, how we are sick differs so much from culture to culture, and can stir up a lot of conflict. This week, we're not changing systems to better support parents, or making a miracle cure to wipe out the common cold, but we are sharing a few...
2025-10-0228 minMulticultural Family HubBreaking the Screen Time Binary- Ep. 27Screen time struggles are real - For kids and adults. This week we're introducing how we use a multicultural mindset to tackle the challenge that is screen time. Too often, screens get labeled as "good" or "bad," leaving parents feeling like they're winning or failing. In this episode Kjessie & Andre use the question: "How is this mutually beneficial?" to help us explore the gray area of screen time. This episode offers practical, reflective questions to help you navigate screen time with more balance, less guilt, and more connection.
2025-09-1834 minMulticultural Family HubHow to Parent Beyond the Stories We Inherit with Ashley Rodriguez, pHd - Ep. 26Woo hoo! It's guest time! We cozied up at the kitchen table with Ashley Rodriguez, pHD for a heartfelt conversation about what it means to grow, heal, and parent in multicultural families. Ashley is a licensed psychologist who supports parents during pregnancy and postpartum, and she brings her lived experience as a first-generation daughter into the way she walks with families. In this wide-ranging conversation we talk about the invisible barriers first-gen kids often navigate on their own, how cultural stories and intergenerational trauma ripple through parenting, and what it looks like to choose which pieces of...
2025-08-291h 00Multicultural Family HubHard Conversations? Here's Your First Step - Ep. 25In this episode, we dive deep into the art of navigating difficult conversations—with family, friends, and especially in the midst of transitions. From back-to-school stress to parenting challenges, we explore how our nervous system shapes the way we listen, respond, and connect. We share personal stories of what happens when we enter conversations unregulated—how fight, flight, freeze, and fawn responses can take over—and what changes when we pause to regulate first. Together, we reflect on how cultural layers, family history, and personal expectations can intensify conversations with loved ones, and how approaching them with a calm...
2025-08-2149 minMulticultural Family HubBONUS: 5 Minute Nervous System ResetThis quick reset is designed for busy moments, on the go. Whether you're sitting in the car, stepping into a meeting, or pausing before a hard conversation, in just five minutes, you'll use simple breathwork and grounding techniques to settle your body, quiet your mind, and return to a more centered state. Think of it as a mini recharge for your nervous system—easy, portable, and always available when life feels overwhelming. Want more tools? Go to Ep. 25 of Kitchen Table Conversations: Hard Conversations? Here's Your First Step. for the full conversation
2025-08-2006 minMulticultural Family HubGold Stars or Joy? Helping Kids Love Learning Ep. 24It's the first day of school, folks! 🎒 We just dropped off our kids in a brand-new state after a cross-country move from Northern California to Savannah, Georgia—and yes, we're feeling all the things. In honor of back-to-school season, we're diving into the culture of school and one of our favorite parenting topics: helping kids grow intrinsic motivation instead of chasing gold stars, grades, or grown-up approval. Andre shares how Outkast and the Red Hot Chili Peppers gave him permission to follow his own compass as a teen, sparking a lifelong practice of intrinsic motivation. Toget...
2025-08-1452 minMulticultural Family HubWhat Shapes Our Desires? On Culture, Power, and Parenting with Myrna Perez- Ep. 23We're so excited to welcome our very first guest, Dr. Myrna Perez! In this expansive and thought-provoking episode, we sit down with Dr. Perez—a scholar, mother, and bold truth-teller—to explore what it means to live, parent, and think across cultural and racial borders. A HARVARD-educated professor (yes, the bold will make sense when you listen!), Dr. Perez leads courageous conversations about science, religion, gender, and sexuality at Ohio University. She speaks candidly about the many cultures that shaped her—from growing up in a San Diego border town surrounded by Filipino and Mexican influe...
2025-08-071h 13Multicultural Family HubAnxious About Money? This Conversation Will Help.- Ep. 22Let's be real—everything costs more these days. Whether it's groceries, gas, or after-school care, the pressure is on. And for parents, that financial tension isn't just about bills. We make money about identity, safety, and whether we're "doing enough" for our families. In this episode, Kjessie and Andre open up about the invisible weight so many of us carry: the anxiety around money and what it means for our parenting. Western culture tells us that more money = better outcomes. So when things are tight? We feel like we're failing. But it goes deeper than do...
2025-07-3150 minMulticultural Family HubBeyond Bike Helmets: Physical, Emotional, and Spiritual Safety in Parenting- Ep. 21Today we're digging into something that shows up every day for us as parents—anxiety around our children's safety. But we're not just talking about locks on doors or helmets on bikes.This is the 3rd episode of our Parental Anxiety series and it's a real humdinger. We're unpacking the deeper dimensions of safety: physical, emotional, and spiritual. So many of us are parenting under the weight of stories we inherited—about what it means to protect, to provide, and to prepare our kids for the world. And when we don't slow down to examine those stories, fear...
2025-07-241h 10Multicultural Family HubWe're Not Raising "Nice" Kids—Here's Why-Ep. 20This is the second episode in our Parental Anxiety series, and we're talking about one of the most charged topics in parenting: "good behavior." But what is "good," really—especially when it's defined by rules we didn't write, in spaces we're still learning to trust? After moving from Northern California to Savannah, we enrolled our kids in a diverse, city-run day camp. Day one brought unexpected feedback from our kids—cue parental anxiety. Kjessie felt the spiral coming on, and Andre stepped in with a powerful model for having hard conversations rooted in love. W...
2025-07-171h 06Multicultural Family HubIs This the Right School? How to Escape the Spiral- Ep. 19We're kicking off a new series! 🎉 In this powerful first episode of our Parental Anxiety series, we're diving into one of the biggest emotional decision points for parents: school choice. From social pressure and safety concerns to academic expectations and cultural identity, we're unpacking the hidden layers of anxiety that surround choosing "the right" school. As a multicultural family recently relocated from Northern California to Savannah, Georgia, we share our own experience navigating this process—seeking a school that reflected our values: social-emotional learning, cultural connection, and community care. This episode invites you t...
2025-07-101h 00Multicultural Family HubEmotional Weather, Humid Hair & The Next Right Thing- Ep. 18In this episode, we're talking about the emotional messiness and the glimmers of magic that come with making a big move—literally and emotionally. This episode is the last in our moving series, so buckle up! As we settle into Savannah (hello, salsa dancing and big hair humidity!), we're realizing this season is full of stretch and surrender. People warned us about the bugs and the heat—but what we've found is joy, gratitude, and moments of coming home to ourselves. We talk about: 🧡 Letting big feelings be part of the process—and how we co...
2025-07-0334 minMulticultural Family HubMaking a Move: Study Long, Study Wrong, Pay for Movers- Ep. 17📦 Making a Move: Study Long, Study Wrong, Pay for the Movers Thinking about relocating—or knee-deep in boxes and bubble wrap? In this episode, we share the 3 biggest lessons from our multicultural family's recent move across the country. ✔️ First: Pay for the movers. Seriously. ✔️ Second: Set a clear intention based on your values, not outside expectations. ✔️ Third: Know your moving style (are you a "keep it all" hauler or a "toss everything" purger?)—and find balance before the packing tape runs out. Whether you're navigating transition, culture, or the chaos of a cross-country move...
2025-06-2622 min
Multicultural Family HubThe Last 10%: Joy, Junk Drawers, and the Art of Finishing What We'd Rather Skip- Ep. 16Ever start something strong, only to stall out at the final stretch? You're not alone. In this episode, we explore why finishing that "last 10%"—whether it's organizing (and packing) the infamous junk drawer while you wrap up a move, or completing a creative project—somehow the last 10% feels disproportionately hard. We talk about: • How to invite joy and play into the most mundane tasks • Real-life stories from multicultural family life and big transitions • Small mindset shifts that help you cross the finish line (and feel good doing it) This episode is part inspiratio...
2025-06-1641 min
Multicultural Family HubThe Itchy Sweater Feeling– Small Shifts. Big Exhales.- Ep. 15Ever feel that restless, itchy sweater feeling—like something in your life no longer fits, but you're not sure what comes next? In this episode, we're talking about that exact feeling—the subtle discomfort that signals change is on the way. We share the story of how that sensation led us to a major transition: moving our multicultural family of five across the country, from Northern California to Savannah, Georgia. From the chaos of traveling with three kids to the power of making 1% shifts that snowball into life-changing transformation, this episode is part reflection, part roadmap for anyo...
2025-05-2839 min
Multicultural Family HubWhen It All Went Sideways: Moving, Meltdowns & Mindsets Ep. 14This week, it all went sideways. We were cruising along and then BAM! In this episode, we share the behind-the-scenes of our big move—from the sale of our house unraveling, to last-minute school chaos, to all the emotions that came with uprooting our family. Spoiler alert: it wasn't smooth. We allowed all the sad feelings and used our multicultural mindset to ground us. We leaned into discomfort, held space for sadness, and reminded ourselves that transition is rarely tidy. Also, Kjessie shares her most helpful phrase from Flower Farming: "You will kill SO. MANY. plants." It sou...
2025-05-2231 min
Multicultural Family HubEp. 13 Incapable of Small Talk? Why We Created Multicultural Family HubWe're not good at surface-level conversations—and neither are the families we serve. In this episode, we share the raw reasons we created Multicultural Family Hub. A family vacation to South Beach, Miami happened to be a real tipping point. Our community is rooted in real connection—from kitchen table conversations to weekly group coaching, and transformative monthly workshops. We expound on everything the Hub has to offer, why we chose group coaching as a core pillar, and the powerful workshop experiences we have in store. We can't wait to open the doors this June!
2025-05-1528 min
Multicultural Family HubWhat IS a Multicultural Family? - Ep. 12So. We now realize that we've been talking about our Multicultural Family for weeks, BUT – we never told you what it is! This week we define what being a Multicultural Family means. We dive into the question of: What IS a Multicultural Family? We give our definition and share why we chose to focus on culture, rather than race. Andre shares powerful stories about the Multicultural Family he grew up in. This episode is full of stories, examples, and gives a great framework for a Multicultural Family and why it matters to YOU. You don't want to mis...
2025-05-0837 minMulticultural Family HubDavid Bowie Hair & Our Big Mission Ep. 11We woke up with big-hair David Bowie energy. We dive straight into a history lesson about segregation and how the architects of it knew the best way to keep us divided was to keep us separate. We share our beliefs on how a multicultural mindset can bring peace in our lives and ultimately the world. Take a deep breath. This jumps into the deep end about why we are doing the work we're doing and how it can have a global impact. Resources Mentioned: The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins The...
2025-05-0123 min
Multicultural Family HubWhat is Money? Yard Birds & Lessons From a Tiny Entrepreneur- Ep. 10We're bringing out the big stuff today. We're talking about money. We define it in a unique way and share language around money and value we've adopted for our family. We just had an estate sale that allowed our kids to create value around their belongings and sell their toys. We share the language we use to talk about money with kids, and to frame it for ourselves. This episode is a deep dive into the cultural stories we've been given about money and how to reframe it for our individual family cultures. You're gonna love this one, share it...
2025-04-2448 min
2025-04-1735 min
Multicultural Family HubInstead of a Fight, It's a Win!- Ep. 8Last night Kjessie got REALLY annoyed at how Andre wipes the sink, WHILE doing dishes. It could've turned into a fight, but it turned into an entry point for going deeper. This seemingly small annoyance created space for support, healing, and a big win. Join us this week for some great relationship tools that navigate speaking up for your needs and working with culture. You're gonna love it!
2025-04-1033 minMulticultural Family HubHow to Make Friends & Doing the Splits- Ep. 7This week it was something one of our twin's said. His summation of how to make friends blew us both away. Andre shares his unorthodox methods about how he chooses his next book. Hint: Floor books. We learn our daughter's method for doing the splits and making meaningful change. Join us for this laughter filled episode on moving, education, and having a growth mindset.
2025-04-0332 min
Multicultural Family HubHow do I get them to do what I want?- Ep. 6How do I get them to do what I want? This is the question that we all want the answer to. Andre & Kjessie break it down in a journey from My Big Fat Greek Wedding to the power of curiosity. This is a must listen, share it with a friend!
2025-03-2545 minMulticultural Family HubFeeling Lonely?Real talk about loneliness. This week Kjessie & Andre share about their experience with loneliness as a multicultural couple. Kjessie shares a particularly intense experience when she realized that being a mixed couple was going to be a different, sometimes lonely journey. Luckily, this is why Multicultural Family Hub exists, to create a space for you!
2025-03-1214 min
Multicultural Family HubShakira, Kendrick, Hip Sockets & Dance Ep. 4It all started with a hip roll. This week Kjessie & Andre dig into the culture of movement and expression. They go from Zootopia, Shakira, to the 2010 World Cup Shakira, to Kendrick Lamar's Superbowl performance, to yin yoga and hip sockets. This wide ranging conversation highlights cultural stories about dance and movement. You don't want to miss it.
2025-02-2513 minMulticultural Family HubThe Story of a Stable Job Ep. 3What does having 1 million jobs say about you? Did your culture give you a story about how you should be working, providing, and being stable? This week we break down the different stories around work Andre & Kjessie were give and how they're letting those stories go, adapting them and blending them to make it work for their multicutural family.
2025-02-1816 minMulticultural Family HubWelcome to Kitchen Table Conversations! Ep. 1Welcome to our Kitchen Table Conversation! Kjessie and Andre introduce themselves, tell the origin story of Multicultural Family Hub and what they're all about.
2025-02-0407 minMulticultural Family HubThe Spicy Chili Episode 2This week in our Kitchen Table Conversation, we bring in the Spicy Chili. This is the moment when everything goes from running smoothly to absolutely sideways. Kjessie shares her downward spiral, and Andre brings in some tools to stop the tailspin.
2025-01-2718 min